Improvement in packing-boxes



D. L. BARTLETT.

Packing-Boxes.

NO. 139,106. PatentedMay20.1873.

m PHOTO-LITHOGIMPHIC c0. mfwsaumis's PROCESS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID L. BARTLETT, OF OGDENSBURG, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN PACKING-BOXES Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 139,106, dated May 20, 1873; application filed March 17, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID L. BARTLETT, of Ogdensburg, in the county of St. Lawrence and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Packing- Boxes; and I do declare that the following is a true and accurate description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters of reference marked thereon, and being a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved packing-box. Fig. 2 is a similar view, knocked down for return shipment.

Like letters refer to like parts in each figure.

The nature of this invention relates to an improvement in packing-boxes, so arranged that they can be readily returned to the shipper in what is termed a knocked-down condition, for use again and again as often as required. As the cost of lumber yearly increases an onerous tax is imposed on manufacturers, shippers, and buyers by a constantlyincreasing cost of the boxes required for the shipment of merchandise.

The object of this invention is so to construct a box that after use it may be returned to the shipper at the cost of shipping only so much lumber; that will require no nails to hold it together, and. that may be strapped, and that will be stronger than the boxes in ordinary use. The invention consists in so constructing a box that when in use it and its straps are secured by ordinary bolts, which, when taken out, will allow the box to be piled up as ordinary lumber for return, and that will contain a safe receptacle for the return of the bolts and nuts, as more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing, A represents the top and bottom and B the two sides of a box. 0 are the ends of the box, provided with cleats a, rigidly secured to their outer faces in order to give these ends greater strength and afford a means of securing the top, bottom, and sides to the same by means of the bolts 12, which pass through corresponding holes for the purpose, bored through the top, bottom, and sides and the cleats,-as shown. In the drawing but one bolt is shown to secure the top, bottom,and each side to the ends; if more are necessary, in large boxes or under any other circumstances, they may be used in precisely the same way. D are bands of strap-iron, which may be used when it is necessary to strap the box. These bands may be of sufficient length to go entirely around the box, and, being punched with holes corresponding to the bolt-holes hereinbefore described, they will be held in position by the same bolts which hold the parts of the box together. If deemed preferable these straps may be in sections, extending from one bolt to another, and their ends secured by the same bolt. To return this box in a knock-down condition the bolts should all be removed, when the parts are ready to pile up compactly for shipment; in so piling, care should be taken to put the end pieces in the interior of the pile, so that the cleated side will form a chamber within which safely to return the bolts. used and the box returned, the straps may be laid between the pieces forming the pile. Then a cord may tie the whole together, or suitable bolts of sufficient length to pass through the pile may be employed. These bolts may be placed within the box when shipped, to be used in its return, as stated.

Instead of the bolts 1), screws, keys, or other equivalent'devices may be employed.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- The combination of the end piece 0, having cleats, as described, the bolts b, and the sides, top, and bottom of the box, the parts being detachable from each other, as and for the purpose described.

DAVID L. BARTLETT.-

Witnesses:

H. F. EBERTS, H. S. SPRAGUE.

When the straps are. 

